The world's most expensive cities for expatriates in 2022 (at this point)

For 50 years, Employment Conditions Abroad International, aka ECA International, has been focused on creating solutions for companies to effectively move talent around the world. Their first cost of living (COL) survey covered locations across 30 countries but today now covers 493 locations. ECA carries out two main surveys per year to help companies calculate cost of living allowances so that their employees' spending power is protected while on an international assignment.  

The latest of their annual cost of living surveys ranks locations as they compare a basket of like-for-like consumer goods and services that are commonly purchased by assignees globally. ECA’s accommodation data is also factored in, comparing rental costs in areas typically inhabited by expatriate staff in over 410 locations worldwide. Curious to compare? Here are a couple of fun charts:

So what were the top ten most expensive cities in the world at this point and how did things change since last year? Well 50% of the the top 10 are in Asia. Only one is in the United States now. Three are in Europe and one is in Israel. This chart shows top 10 as compared to last year. 

ECA points out a number of global highlights. Most locations within the EU have seen drops in the rankings after an unsteady period for the euro, with Paris falling out of the global top 30 and cities such as Madrid, Brussels and Rome all falling too. Many locations in Asia have witnessed above-trend rates in inflation in the past 12 months. Many mainland Chinese cities have continued to rise in the rankings, with four cities now included in the 15 most expensive cities globally while Shanghai is also now the third most expensive city in Asia after Hong Kong and Tokyo. Singapore’s ranking remained unchanged in 2022 despite significant price rises in the past 12 months, with housing rental costs, utilities and petrol prices seeing particular growth. 

As the world moves further into this inflationary period, and maybe into recession, it will be interesting to continue watching these types of survey report findings and to consider the details. Here is an interesting article (Inflation, the Consumer Price Index and Relocating Employees) from MOTUS that takes that conversation a bit further. We know that relocating employees are going to question the cost-of-living in their new cities, so it is important to acknowledge inflation and increasing home prices in many markets. However, it is just as crucial to understand that when prices are increasing everywhere, there may be little to no impact on the difference between locations when relocating. Ultimately, costs are increasing on just about everything and everywhere. They advise that "cost-of-living calculations used for relocation—and paid to employees moving to higher cost locations—measure the difference between locations while national inflation issues should be addressed by an organization’s compensation strategy."